Bridgepoint looking to expand Pret A Manger in France

The buyout-backed sandwich retailer is considering taking over chains that operate at least 100 outlets in France

By

Dow Jones Newswires

December 30, 2010 2:10 pm GMT

UK sandwich chain Pret A Manger, majority owned by London-based private equity firm Bridgepoint, has identified a number of possible takeover targets as part of a plan to enter the French market, daily Le Figaro reports, citing a person familiar with the situation.

According to the source cited by Le Figaro, the most advanced talks are currently with the investment arm of French insurance group Groupama, which owns Pomme de Pain, a sandwich and pastry chain operating primarily in the Paris region.